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I still prefer Startpage over DDG (I used DDG around 2 years, until found more information about Startpage and how Vivaldi rise it up on this blog post)
Both have similar "settings" feature, but Startpage settings can be used without cookies, it's using unique URL link which can be added to browser without saving cookies, a safe way to do this.
DDG relies on keyword on saved settings (which uses cookies on saving it on browser until cache is cleaned), basic not so safe way to do this.
DDG is also fully US based service, I know Startpage case is little weird with US adtech thing (adsense stuff seen on uBlock, depends what list you using, they are blocked or not), but as they been telling, it's nothing to do with Startpage privacy, but Startpage is still EU based service.
I also like one certain setting on Startpage, to able choose which Startpage server is used, US or EU. Very important you can choose default server.
Also seen QWANT mentioned on many privacy websites, advertised as "no collect information on user" or similar, this is actually false claim and you notice it instantly by reading QWANT privacy policy about how they secure users activity and about IP collected and some other information too.